[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 230 (Monday, November 30, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Pages 76579-76580]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-26248]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Administration for Children and Families


Proposed Information Collection Activity; Human Services Programs 
in Rural Contexts Study

AGENCY: Office of Planning, Research, and Evaluation, Administration 
for Children and Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human 
Services.

ACTION: Request for public comment.

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SUMMARY: The Administration for Children and Families (ACF) at the U.S. 
Department of Health and Human Services is proposing to collect data on 
the challenges and unique opportunities of administering human services 
programs in rural contexts. Case studies of 12 communities, in 
combination with analysis of administrative data and qualitative 
comparative analysis of the qualitative data, will provide ACF with a 
rich description of human services programs in rural contexts and 
provide ACF opportunities for strengthening human services programs' 
capacity to promote the economic and social wellbeing of individuals, 
families, and communities in rural contexts.

DATES: Comments due within 60 days of publication. In compliance with 
the requirements of Section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the Paperwork Reduction 
Act of 1995, ACF is soliciting public comment on the specific aspects 
of the information collection described above.

ADDRESSES: Copies of the proposed collection of information can be 
obtained and comments may be forwarded by emailing 
[email protected]. Alternatively, copies can also be 
obtained by writing to the Administration for Children and Families, 
Office of Planning, Research, and Evaluation, 330 C Street SW, 
Washington, DC 20201, Attn: OPRE Reports Clearance Officer. All 
requests, emailed or written, should be identified by the title of the 
information collection.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Description: ACF proposes to conduct key 
informant interviews during site visits to 12 rural communities. While 
ACF intends to conduct on-site visits, if the current COVID-19 pandemic 
makes it too difficult to travel safely, we will conduct these 
interviews virtually. This study will involve four data collection 
instruments:
     Site Visit Planning Template. Each Project Director (or 
their designee) will complete a Site Visit Planning Template to assist 
the study team in scheduling site visit interviews.
     Three Site Visit Discussion Guides. To systematically 
capture data on challenges and unique opportunities, the study team 
will conduct interviews with (1) project directors and leaders from 
human services organizations, (2) staff from the human services and 
partner organizations, and (3) staff from nonprofit and partner 
organizations that support individuals who utilize human services.
    Respondents: Human services project directors and leadership staff, 
human services program staff, and staff from nonprofit organizations 
and partners that provide support to individuals who utilize human 
services.

                                             Annual Burden Estimates
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                                                     Number of
                                     Number of     responses per
                                    respondents     respondent    Average burden   Total burden    Annual burden
           Instrument               (total over     (total over    per response     (in hours)      (in hours)
                                      request         request       (in hours)
                                      period)         period)
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In-Person Site Visit Planning                 12               1               2              24              12
 Template (Instrument 1a); or
 Virtual Site Visit Planning
 Template (Instrument 1b).......

[[Page 76580]]

 
Project Directors and Leaders                 60               1               2             120              60
 Site Visit Discussion Guide
 (Instrument 2).................
Staff Site Visit Discussion                  108               1             1.5             162              81
 Guide (Instrument 3)...........
Nonprofit or Partner                          72               1               1              72              36
 Organizations Site Visit
 Discussion Guide (Instrument 4)
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    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 189.
    Comments: The Department specifically requests comments on (a) 
whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the 
proper performance of the agency's functions, including whether the 
information shall have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the 
agency's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of 
information; (c) the quality, utility, and clarity of the information 
to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of information 
collection on respondents, including through using automated collection 
techniques or other forms of information technology. Consideration will 
be given to comments and suggestions submitted within 60 days of this 
publication.

    Authority: 42 U.S.C. 613, 42 U.S.C. 1397, 42 U.S.C. 711, and 42 
U.S.C. 603(a)(2).

Mary B. Jones,
ACF/OPRE Certifying Officer.
[FR Doc. 2020-26248 Filed 11-27-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4184-09-P